The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus
eminently illustrious, or whose fathers have performed signal services
to the public; they are associated, however, with those of mature
strength, who have already been declared capable of service; nor do
they blush to be seen in the rank of companions. [87] For the state of
companionship itself has its several degrees, determined by the judgment
of him whom they follow; and there is a great emulation among the
companions, which shall possess the highest place in the favor of their
chief; and among the chiefs, which shall excel in the number and valor
of his companions. It is their dignity, their strength, to be always
surrounded with a large body of select youth, an ornament in peace,
a bulwark in war. And not in his own country alone, but among the
neighboring states, the fame and glory of each chief consists in being
distinguished for the number and bravery of his companions. Such chiefs
are courted by embassies; distinguished by presents; and often by their
reputation alone decide a war.
14. In the field of battle, it is disgraceful for the chief to be
surpassed in valor; it is disgraceful for the companions not to equal
their chief; but it is reproach and infamy during a whole succeeding
life to retreat from the field surviving him. [88] To aid, to protect
him; to place their own gallant actions to the account of his glory, is
their first and most sacred engagement. The chiefs fight for victory;
the companions for their chief. If their native country be long sunk in
peace and inaction, many of the young nobles repair to some other state
then engaged in war. For, besides that repose is unwelcome to their
race, and toils and perils afford them a better opportunity of
distinguishing themselves; they are unable, without war and violence,
to maintain a large train of followers. The companion requires from the
liberality of his chief, the warlike steed, the bloody and conquering
spear: and in place of pay, he expects to be supplied with a table,
homely indeed, but plentiful. [89] The funds for this munificence
must be found in war and rapine; nor are they so easily persuaded
to cultivate the earth, and await the produce of the seasons, as to
challenge the foe, and expose themselves to wounds; nay, they even think
it base and spiritless to earn by sweat what they might purchase with
blood.
15. During the intervals of war, they pass their time less in hunting
than in a sluggish repose, [90] divided between sleep and the table.
All the bravest of the warriors, committing the care of the house, the
family affairs, and the lands, to the women, old men, and weaker part
of the domestics, stupefy themselves in inaction: so wonderful is the
contrast presented by nature, that the same persons love indolence,
and hate tranquillity! [91] It is customary for the several states to
present, by voluntary and individual contributions, [92] cattle or grain
[93] to their chiefs; which are accepted as honorary gifts, while they
serve as necessary supplies. [94] They are peculiarly pleased with
presents from neighboring nations, offered not only by individuals,
but by the community at large; such as fine horses, heavy armor, rich
housings, and gold chains. We have now taught them also to accept of
money. [95]
16. It is well known that none of the German nations inhabit cities;
[96] or even admit of contiguous settlements. They dwell scattered and
separate, as a spring, a meadow, or a grove may chance to invite
them. Their villages are laid out, not like ours in rows of adjoining
buildings; but every one surrounds his house with a vacant space, [97]
either by way of security against fire, [97] or through ignorance of
the art of building. For, indeed, they are unacquainted with the use
of mortar and tiles; and for every purpose employ rude unshapen timber,
fashioned with no regard to pleasing the eye. They bestow more than
ordinary pains in coating certain parts of their buildings with a kind
of earth, so pure and shining that it gives the appearance of painting.
They also dig subterraneous caves, [99] and cover them over with a great
quantity of dung. These they use as winter-retreats, and granaries; for
they preserve a moderate temperature; and upon an invasion, when the
open country is plundered, these recesses remain unviolated, either
because the enemy is ignorant of them, or because he will not trouble
himself with the search. [100]
17. The clothing common to all is a sagum [101] fastened by a clasp, or,
in want of that, a thorn. With no other covering, they pass whole days
on the hearth, before the fire. The more wealthy are distinguished by a
vest, not flowing loose, like those of the Sarmatians and Parthians, but
girt close, and exhibiting the shape of every limb. They also wear the
skins of beasts, which the people near the borders are less curious in
selecting or preparing than the more remote inhabitants, who cannot by
commerce procure other clothing. These make choice of particular skins,
which they variegate with spots, and strips of the furs of marine
animals, [102] the produce of the exterior ocean, and seas to us
unknown. [103] The dress of the women does not differ from that of the
men; except that they more frequently wear linen, [104] which they stain
with purple; [105] and do not lengthen their upper garment into sleeves,
but leave exposed the whole arm, and part of the breast.
18. The matrimonial bond is, nevertheless, strict and severe among them;
nor is there anything in their manners more commendable than this. [106]
Almost singly among the barbarians, they content themselves with one
wife; a very few of them excepted, who, not through incontinence, but
because their alliance is solicited on account of their rank, [107]
practise polygamy. The wife does not bring a dowry to her husband, but
receives one from him. [108] The parents and relations assemble, and
pass their approbation on the presents--presents not adapted to please
a female taste, or decorate the bride; but oxen, a caparisoned steed, a
shield, spear, and sword. By virtue of these, the wife is espoused; and
she in her turn makes a present of some arms to her husband. This they
consider as the firmest bond of union; these, the sacred mysteries,
the conjugal deities. That the woman may not think herself excused from
exertions of fortitude, or exempt from the casualties of war, she is
admonished by the very ceremonial of her marriage, that she comes to her
husband as a partner in toils and dangers; to suffer and to dare equally
with him, in peace and in war: this is indicated by the yoked oxen, the
harnessed steed, the offered arms. Thus she is to live; thus to die.
She receives what she is to return inviolate [109] and honored to her
children; what her daughters-in-law are to receive, and again transmit
to her grandchildren.
19. They live, therefore, fenced around with chastity; [110] corrupted
by no seductive spectacles, [111] no convivial incitements. Men and
women are alike unacquainted with clandestine correspondence. Adultery
is extremely rare among so numerous a people. Its punishment is instant,
and at the pleasure of the husband. He cuts off the hair [112] of the
offender, strips her, and in presence of her relations expels her from
his house, and pursues her with stripes through the whole village. [113]
Nor is any indulgence shown to a prostitute. Neither beauty, youth, nor
riches can procure her a husband: for none there looks on vice with
a smile, or calls mutual seduction the way of the world. Still more
exemplary is the practice of those states [114] in which none but
virgins marry, and the expectations and wishes of a wife are at once
brought to a period. Thus, they take one husband as one body and one
life; that no thought, no desire, may extend beyond him; and he may be
loved not only as their husband, but as their marriage. [115] To limit
the increase of children, [116] or put to death any of the later progeny
[117] is accounted infamous: and good habits have there more influence
than good laws elsewhere. [118]
20. In every house the children grow up, thinly and meanly clad, [119]
to that bulk of body and limb which we behold with wonder. Every mother
suckles her own children, and does not deliver them into the hands of
servants and nurses. No indulgence distinguishes the young master from
the slave. They lie together amidst the same cattle, upon the same
ground, till age [120] separates, and valor marks out, the free-born.
The youths partake late of the pleasures of love, [121] and hence
pass the age of puberty unexhausted: nor are the virgins hurried into
marriage; the same maturity, the same full growth is required: the sexes
unite equally matched [122] and robust; and the children inherit the
vigor of their parents. Children are regarded with equal affection by
their maternal uncles [123] as by their fathers: some even consider
this as the more sacred bond of consanguinity, and prefer it in the
requisition of hostages, as if it held the mind by a firmer tie, and the
family by a more extensive obligation. A person's own children, however,
are his heirs and successors; and no wills are made. If there be no
children, the next in order of inheritance are brothers, paternal and
maternal uncles. The more numerous are a man's relations and kinsmen,
the more comfortable is his old age; nor is it here any advantage to be
childless. [124]
21. It is an indispensable duty to adopt the enmities [125] of a father
or relation, as well as their friendships: these, however, are not
irreconcilable or perpetual. Even homicide is atoned [126] by a certain
fine in cattle and sheep; and the whole family accepts the satisfaction,
to the advantage of the public weal, since quarrels are most dangerous
in a free state. No people are more addicted to social entertainments,
or more liberal in the exercise of hospitality. [127] To refuse any
person whatever admittance under their roof, is accounted flagitious.
[128] Every one according to his ability feasts his guest: when his
provisions are exhausted, he who was late the host, is now the guide
and companion to another hospitable board. They enter the next house
uninvited, and are received with equal cordiality. No one makes a
distinction with respect to the rights of hospitality, between a
stranger and an acquaintance. The departing guest is presented with
whatever he may ask for; and with the same freedom a boon is desired in
return. They are pleased with presents; but think no obligation incurred
either when they give or receive.
22. [129] [Their manner of living with their guest is easy and affable]
As soon as they arise from sleep, which they generally protract till
late in the day, they bathe, usually in warm water, [130] as cold
weather chiefly prevails there. After bathing they take their meal, each
on a distinct seat, and a a separate table. [131] Then they proceed,
armed, to business, and not less frequently to convivial parties, in
which it is no disgrace to pass days and nights, without intermission,
in drinking. The frequent quarrels that arise amongst them, when
intoxicated, seldom terminate in abusive language, but more frequently
in blood. [132] In their feasts, they generally deliberate on the
reconcilement of enemies, on family alliances, on the appointment of
chiefs, and finally on peace and war; conceiving that at no time the
soul is more opened to sincerity, or warmed to heroism. These people,
naturally void of artifice or disguise, disclose the most secret
emotions of their hearts in the freedom of festivity. The minds of all
being thus displayed without reserve, the subjects of their deliberation
are again canvassed the next day; [133] and each time has its
advantages. They consult when unable to dissemble; they determine when
not liable to mistake.